Money! Money! Money!
That’s a word that will get your attention.
The Year for Courage
2012 will demand COURAGE! You and I will need strength to take advantage of the opportunities, face the challenges and tap into the God-given abilities He has given us to do something significant. Courage speaks of bravery, boldness, fearlessness, fortitude, valor and vigilance. It is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty and even intimidation. Courage is our theme word for us as a Network for 2012. I believe God is calling us to move forward in faith, take new territory and accomplish greater things. All this will take faith-based courage.
…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
read more // comments (0)The Season of Opportunity
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10.
This is the season of opportunity. A host of open doors will come your way this month. You will be given the opportunity to declare the love of God through sermons, devotionals, sharing, music, acts of service and one-on-one conversations. This month your community will look to you and your local assembly to help them understand and celebrate Christmas. People will anticipate singing Christmas carols, hearing the Christmas story and celebrating communion. It is a perfect time to let them know of the unforgettable gift that God has given them; so this month, go for it! It has been said, "If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade." Amen! Amen! Declare without reservation or hesitation the true reason for the season. Seize your opportunity.
God Dreams
Then the LORD replied, "Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." Habakkuk 2:2
In October, The Groves Church, pastored by Paul and Sunia Gibbs, celebrated their second year of ministry to Portland. The Groves is part of our Chi Alpha outreach to Portland State University (PSU) and the downtown area. They gather at University Place, which was the former Portland Red Lion Hotel, but is now part of the university campus. Not long ago, when I visited the church, I saw that attendance had grown to nearly 100, consisting mostly of young adults and university students.
At their second year celebration, the worship was exceptional, the buzz of fellowship was inspiring, and the message was excellent. It was one of those days you could say, "It has been good to be in the house of the Lord."
Two Ways We Are Increasing Our Influence
One of the significant components of our mission as an Oregon Ministry Network is to "build healthy churches and ministries." This means we are working together to give our attention and energy to the planting and revitalization of churches. These are practical efforts that help us fulfill the Great Commission and increase our influence in Oregon.
1. Planting: Over the last 36 months the OMN has assisted in launching four new successful churches in Oregon. Each of these new churches has a unique story of how they began. Amazingly, the combined attendance of these church plants now averages over 700 people each week. The stories of lives being changed each week causes us to rejoice. Scores of people have been saved, healed and baptized. In addition, thousands of dollars have been given for missions from these new churches.
Influence Through Relationships
Those who are righteous will be long remembered. …They will have influence and honor. Psalm 112:6,9
God has positioned you be a positive influence, to make a difference, to inspire and motivate others to attempt and accomplish great things for Christ and His Church. This is what I believe God has called you and me to this year.
I was personally reminded of the power of influence through relationships during our recent General Council in Phoenix. During one of the evening celebrations in the US Airways Arena, I happened to find some seats next to a young couple. Upon greeting them, I realized I was sitting next to Rich Rogers and his wife. Rich was one of the young men who had attended our youth group back in the 70s. Today Rich leads a growing church in California, and here we were, after all these years, sitting next to each other. Who would have thought that Rich would become a lead pastor? Back in the 70s I didn’t see it. It was one of those serendipity moments that reminded me again how God uses us to influence others even when we don’t think anything is happening. It was in that church I first realized the importance of influence through relationships.
read more // comments (0)Don't Go It Alone
The 2011 Tour de France was one of the most intense and event-filled cycling competition in its history. Cadel Evans become the first Australian to capture cycling's most prestigious title this year. Although Evans was given the award, he would tell you that he did not accomplish this alone. In addition to other Australian cyclists who helped position and cheer on Evans, there were scores of people who assisted in providing aid and support during the training and actual event.
Effective leadership is not a solo act. Actually, effective leaders always build strong teams around them. This requires insight and intention to experience growth and health in the local church. In order for us to have healthy churches and ministries in the Oregon Ministry Network, each lead pastor and key leader must give attention to building healthy and functional teams. Go at it alone and you will burnout fast.
Here are some practices I have found that have helped me in sharing the load of ministry:
1. PRAYER: Schedule specific times of team prayer. At the Network office, we call them "prayer huddles." Each work day begins with a time of team prayer. In addition, all of our team meetings begin with times of prayer. This always brings us back to the fact that we as a team need the guidance, wisdom and blessing of the Lord on our service and work. Great teams do this.
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1
read more // comments (0)Be Prepared
Do you remember the scout’s motto? Be prepared! Being prepared is part of all of our calling as ministers and leaders. Listen, there are always surprises in ministry, but being prepared in season and out are keys to being a winning influence.
Joy and I attended a funeral for a woman who was related to one of our church members. We arrived at the funeral chapel and were seated. Moments later a panicked family member came to me and said, "Pastor Bill, could you help us? The minister who was to do the memorial is unable to get here on time. Could you lead the service for us?"
I looked into the frantic eyes of my friend and without thinking said, "Sure, I would love to!" Having done many funerals, 15 in my first year as a pastor, I had in my mind a perfect outline and message that fit the service. I asked the Lord to help me and minutes later I was standing in front of a packed out chapel leading the memorial service. To my knowledge, apart from Joy and a couple of family members, no one knew I was stepping in for an absent minister.
read more // comments (0)Menus or Maps
…your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
There is a well-known restaurant near our home that is famous for its huge menu. The menu is like a slick magazine filled with over 100 items along with advertisements from local retailers. I have to tell you that it is a little overwhelming when they hand you the menu as you are being seated. Even if you had an idea of what you were going to order, now you are not sure. Within minutes a helpful server is asking, "And what sounds good today?" Patrons generally respond by either asking for guidance or more time to walk through the multiple pages of options offered.
Menus work well for restaurants, but I am not sure they work well for the local church. Evidence shows that personal spiritual growth is often hit and miss and produces very little change. The result is many churches are producing "Christ admirers" rather than "Christ followers."
I recently heard George Barna share that his research reveals that the personal spiritual growth of many in churches in America is often random or nonexistent. He indicated that his studies of the American church indicate that very little "God-driven transformation" is taking place.
read more // comments (2)Transformation
“Information with Application = Transformation.” This was a phrase shared at our recent Network Summit and has also been a great filtering phrase in evaluating my own life and ministry. When preaching, teaching or leading a group, I am also asking myself 2 important questions. 1. What do I want them to know? 2. What do I want them to do? In other words, “Information with Application = Transformation.”
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
This is part of our mission as minister and leaders. The greatest model of providing information with application was Jesus. For example, take a few minutes to read through The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Note how many times Jesus provides information and then gives specific application. The result is TRANSFORMATION.
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